Arsene Wenger frets over Arsenal's Champions League qualification after home draw with Crystal Palace

I am the Deputy Sports Editor at City A.M. I previously worked as John Grogan MP's Parliamentary Researcher/Office Manager/Press and Communications Officer between 2005 and 2010 in one of the most marginal seats in the country -- majority of 467. E-mail: ross.mclean@cityam.com

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Yannick Bolasie’s low shot from the edge of the area drew Crystal ­Palace level (Source: Getty)

Ross McLean

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits his side are running the risk of missing out on Champions League qualification after failing to overcome a stubborn Crystal Palace.

Leading through an Alexis Sanchez header, the Gunners would have regained third spot in the Premier League had forward Yannick Bolasie not conjured a late leveller for Palace.

But a second successive draw left Arsenal fourth, behind third-placed Manchester City on goal difference, and just four points ahead of Manchester United in fifth.

“Honestly, after the game, I am not in that kind of mood to dream about the [Premier League] championship, I am more in the kind of mood to repair mental damage and prepare for the next game,” said Wenger.

“It’s much more about that and to look behind us because everybody is playing well and winning games. For us, it will be a fight until the end to get a place in the top four. If we can do more we will do more, but let’s not dream, let’s focus on the next game.”

In an opening period characterised by Arsenal possession without penetration, the shot-shy Gunners failed to create a clear-cut chance until the 43rd minute when Mesut Ozil was denied by goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.

Palace equalised inside the final 10 minutes when Bolasie’s effort from the edge of the penalty area, following a lung-busting run from ex-Gunner Emmanuel Adebayor, scythed through the clutches of Cech.

A draw edged Palace nine points clear of the drop zone, and manager Alan Pardew insisted his FA Cup semi-finalists took full advantage of a perennial Arsenal weakness at home.

“I’ve seen games at the Emirates where you can exploit that last period,” he said. “If you can stay in the game, then there’ll be opportunities because they over-commit at times. That’s not a deficiency in their game-plan or manager – it’s to be admired – but of course it’s an opportunity.”